Peter Singer

Peter Singer

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Peter Singer has been described as the world’s most influential philosopher. Born in Melbourne in 1946, he has been professor of bioethics at Princeton University since 1999. His many books include Animal Liberation - often credited with triggering the modern animal rights movement - Practical Ethics, The Life You Can Save, The Most Good You Can Do, and Ethics in the Real World. In 2023, he published Animal Liberation Now, a fully revised and updated version of the 1975 original.

Singer’s writings have also inspired the movement known as effective altruism, and he is the founder of the charity The Life You Can Save. In 2021 he was awarded the $1 million Berggruen Prize for Philosophy and Culture, which he donated to nonprofit organizations working for the causes he supports. In 2023 he received the Frontiers of Knowledge Prize for the Humanities, from the Spanish BBVA Foundation.

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4 min
"If we did create beings that were more like non-human animals, we ought to treat them much better than we now treat non-human animals."
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20 min
“Even if there are beliefs that we hold that are true, if we prevent people challenging those beliefs, we will lose our understanding of why they're true.”
An older man sits on a chair in front of a white backdrop, surrounded by rows of hanging beef carcasses in a meat processing facility.
2 min
“It’s not about being perfect. It’s about reducing suffering where we can, and right now, we’re choosing not to.”
Yellow book cover titled "Consider the Turkey" by Peter Singer, featuring a red illustration of a turkey—perfect for Thanksgiving reading.
Philosopher Peter Singer argues it's time to examine a morally dubious practice.
A broken glass with the words contradictory ideas.
6 min
Ideas that seem wildly controversial today may move humanity towards progress. Philosopher Peter Singer asks —how do we keep them from being stifled?
A group of sheep in a barn with a green arrow in front of them.
5 min
Can AI and animals coexist? Philosopher Peter Singer gives us a nuanced take on the issue.
An older man pondering with his hand on his chin, contemplating effective altruism.
8 min
Effective altruism isn’t just for the rich. Philosopher Peter Singer shares how we can all be better at doing “good.”